U.S. patent application number 10/032748 was filed with the patent office on 2002-07-25 for secure public storage lockers.
Invention is credited to Grover, Steven.
Application Number | 20020095960 10/032748 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32871445 |
Filed Date | 2002-07-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020095960 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Grover, Steven |
July 25, 2002 |
Secure public storage lockers
Abstract
Public storage lockers are designed particularly for storage of
bicycles, such as at a public transportation terminal. In a
preferred embodiment the storage lockers are on-demand, lockable by
a user who must unlock the locker using the same electronic key and
who must unlock the locker before using the key for any other
locker. The lockers are visually open, with a secure screen or mesh
on the locker door and optionally on walls and top cover. This
reveals that the bike locker is occupied and prevents the use of
the locker for unauthorized, privacy-requiring activities. The bike
enclosure has a floor wheel guide for conveniently loading the
bike, and a special door latch mechanism which provides for
security by including a latch bar in a fixed frame, while a latch
bar lifter, operable to permit door opening when the lock is
unlocked, is on the door. The door lock is always locked, in an
available locked mode or an unavailable locked mode, except when
unlocked for only a few seconds before the lock automatically locks
down the latch bar again, so the door is locked as soon as
re-closed. LED status indicator lights can be included. Preferably
the lock and the electronic keys have logic which prevents use of
the key if the user fails to reopen the lock within a prescribed
period of time, and other safeguards.
Inventors: |
Grover, Steven; (Berkeley,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Thomas M. Freiburger
25th Fl.
650 California Street
San Francisco
CA
94108
US
|
Family ID: |
32871445 |
Appl. No.: |
10/032748 |
Filed: |
December 27, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10032748 |
Dec 27, 2001 |
|
|
|
09591290 |
Jun 9, 2000 |
|
|
|
6284406 |
|
|
|
|
60138304 |
Jun 9, 1999 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
70/233 ;
70/278.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E05C 9/02 20130101; G07F
17/12 20130101; Y10T 70/7073 20150401; Y10T 292/432 20150401; E05B
47/0603 20130101; Y10T 70/5872 20150401; E04H 6/005 20130101; B62H
3/08 20130101; E05B 71/00 20130101; Y10S 52/14 20130101; Y10T
70/7068 20150401 |
Class at
Publication: |
70/233 ;
70/278.1 |
International
Class: |
E05B 071/00; E05B
049/00 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A locker with a door and latch, comprising: a locker enclosure,
a door frame outlining an access opening, a locker door pivotally
connected to the frame at one edge, along a vertical axis, and
configured to close adjacent to the frame, a door edge opposite the
pivot axis with a movable handle near the door edge, mounted on the
door for movement by a user to access the locker when permitted, a
generally vertically oriented latch bar within the frame, with
means for urging the latch bar toward a normal position, a lock
mounted in the frame, generally adjacent to the latch bar, the lock
being effective to prevent vertical movement of the latch bar
except when the lock is accessed to a release mode, a latch hook
secured to the door near said opposite edge, with an angled,
sloped-back forward edge and with a back edge opposite the sloped
edge such that a high point is defined between the sloped-back
forward edge and the back edge, for receiving a latch member
against said back edge and preventing opening of the door, and an
opening in the frame for entry of the latch hook as the door is
closed, a latch member within the frame, positioned to be engaged
by the latch hook when the door is closed, and cam means acting
between the latch hook and the latch member for camming the latch
hook's forward edge over the latch member such that one of the
latch hook and the latch member moves as the latch member slides
over the latch hook's forward edge to accommodate closure of the
door until the latch member passes over said high point and reaches
said back edge of the latch hook, with spring means for urging the
relative positions of the latch member and latch hook such that the
latch member engages against said back edge of the latch hook to
latch the door closed, means on the latch bar for moving the latch
member clear of the latch hook when the lock is accessed and the
latch bar is moved, thus permitting opening of the door, and the
handle having a connected latch bar shifter which extends into the
frame when the door is closed and which engages with the latch bar
and is effective to shift the position of the latch bar to release
the latch member when the handle is moved, as permitted by
accessing of the lock.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the latch bar has a normal
lower position, retained by gravity as said means for urging the
latch bar, with the lock normally preventing lifting of the latch
bar, and wherein the handle has a normal lower position and is
permitted upward sliding movement when the lock is accessed,
allowing the handle, latch bar shifter and latch bar to be lifted
upwardly to lift the latch member clear of the latch hook, whereby
the latch bar shifter pulls away from and disengages from the latch
bar as the door is opened, and the latch bar drops by gravity back
to the normal lower position.
3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the lock has a spring-loaded
bolt slidable generally horizontally, the bolt normally engaging
adjacent to the latch bar to prevent lifting of the latch bar
except when the blocking member is retracted by successfully
accessing the lock.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the locker door is configured
to close into a space surrounded by the frame such that the door
and frame surfaces are essentially flush at the outside of the
locker when closed.
5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the latch bar shifter is of a
limited length such that it is adapted to pull away from and
disengage from the latch bar, allowing the latch bar to return to
normal position essentially before said opposite door edge moves
fully out from the surrounding frame.
6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the frame encases the latch
bar, lock and latch member so as to render them inaccessible to a
user even when the door is open.
7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a plurality of latch hooks and
latch members are included, at vertically spaced locations along
the latch bar.
8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the latch member is positioned
generally within the latch bar.
9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the latch hook comprises a
vertically reciprocable plunger having said sloped back forward
edge, and including a jamb housing within which the plunger is
reciprocable, with a compression spring within the jamb housing
urging the plunger in a direction effective to latch the door when
the door is closed, and the latch member comprising a member fixed
to the latch bar.
10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the latch member is mounted
to permit generally vertical movement in the frame, and said spring
means urging the latch member toward a position to latch the door
when the door is closed, and the latch hook being fixedly secured
to the door.
11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the spring means comprises a
compression spring.
12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the frame encases the latch
bar, lock and latch member so as to render them inaccessible to a
user even when the door is open, the frame including an inner side
with an access panel secured over the latch bar, lock and latch
member, with locking means for returning the access panel in
place.
13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the locker enclosure
comprises a locker frame defining a shape for the locker, including
walls and a roof, and infill material secured to the locker frame
to form the enclosure.
14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the infill material is
translucent so as to allow at least some light through and to
permit visual observation of the interior of the enclosure.
15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the locker door includes
said infill material.
16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the infill material
comprises a metal mesh.
17. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the infill material
comprises transparent plastic.
18. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the locker enclosure is of a
shape and size to store a bicycle with the front of the bicycle
oriented toward the door.
19. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the locker enclosure is of a
shape and size to store a bicycle with the front of the bicycle
oriented toward the door.
20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the locker enclosure is
generally triangular.
21. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the lock comprises an
electronic lock.
22. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the means on the latch bar
for moving the latch member comprises the latch member being fixed
to the latch bar.
23. A locker with a door and latch, comprising: a locker enclosure,
a door frame outlining an access opening, a locker door pivotally
connected to the frame at one edge, and configured to close
adjacent to the frame, a door edge opposite the pivot axis with a
movable handle near the door edge, mounted on the door for movement
by a user to access the locker when permitted, a movable latch
element within the frame, with means urging the movable latch
element toward a normal position, a lock mounted in the frame,
generally adjacent to the movable latch element, the lock being
effective to prevent movement of the latch element from its normal
position except when the lock is accessed to a release mode, a
latch hook secured to the door near said opposite edge, with an
angled, sloped-back forward edge and the latch hook being mounted
on the door for reciprocable movement toward and away from a
latching position and being spring-biased toward the latching
position, and the latch hook having a back edge opposite the sloped
edge for receiving a latch member engaged against the back edge so
as to prevent opening of the door, and an opening in the frame for
entry of the latch hook as the door is closed, a latch member
within the frame, fixed to the latch element and positioned to be
engaged by the latch hook when the door is closed and to cam over
the sloped edge as the door is closed such that the latch hook is
cammed away from the latching position until it passes the latch
member and returns to the latching position engaging the back edge
of the latch hook against the latch member, so that as the door is
closed it briefly cams and shifts the latch hook until the latch
hook snaps back, engaged with the back edge of the latch hook, the
latch element being effective when the movable latch element is
moved to move the latch member clear of the latch hook, thus
permitting opening of the door, and the handle having a connected
latch element shifter which extends into the frame when the door is
closed and which engages with the movable latch element and is
effective to shift the position of the movable latch element to
release the latch member when the handle is moved, as permitted by
accessing of the lock.
24. A system of on-demand public storage lockers, comprising: a
series of storage lockers which are locked whenever closed, each
said locker having a door and an electronic lock for the door
having two locked modes including an available locked mode and an
unavailable locked mode, a series of key devices for accessing the
electronic locks of the lockers, each key device being unique and
being capable of accessing any of the electronic locks, such that a
personal key device can be issued to each of a number of persons to
be permitted access to all of the storage lockers, and each
electronic lock having means for storing the unique code of a
user's key device when opened from the available locked mode, for
entering the unavailable locked mode, for allowing re-accessing of
that lock by the same user at a later time, and for preventing
access to that lock by any other user's personal key device prior
to re-accessing by the same user.
25. The system of claim 24, further including means in the system
for preventing a user with a personal key device from using more
than one storage locker in the system at one time.
26. The system of claim 24, further including means associated with
each electronic lock for limiting the duration of the unavailable
locked mode, and preventing re-accessing of the lock in the
unavailable locked mode by said same user after expiration of a
preselected period of time.
27. The system of claim 24, further including LEDs connected to
each electronic lock, indicating status as unavailable locked mode
or available locked mode.
28. The system of claim 24, in combination with a mechanical latch
mechanism associated with each door, the latch mechanism being
biased to a latched position and the door being spring-biased
toward closure such that the open door when released closes and
latches to the locked mode.
Description
SPECIFICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of application
Ser. No. 09/591,210, filed Jun. 9, 2000, which claimed priority
under provisional application Serial No. 60/138,304, filed Jun. 9,
1999.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention concerns public on-demand storage lockers, and
in a specific embodiment, bicycle lockers such as may be used to
store bicycles at a public transportation station. The invention
has several aspects, including the manner of fabrication of the
storage lockers, the secure latching mechanism and an electronic
locking system.
[0003] The need for a highly secure, highly vandal-proof, on-demand
public storage locking system is readily apparent. For example, in
response to user demand, Bay Area Rapid Transit in the San
Francisco Bay Area recently installed a large number of bicycle
lockers with hasps designed to accommodate user-supplied locks.
Unfortunately, these lockers have suffered from use as homeless
shelters, fires as a consequence of homeless use, poor security
characteristics due to the ease with which prying tools can be used
when user-supplied mechanical locks are exposed, concern by police
about potential for bomb planting, high maintenance costs due to
lock clipping and locker cleaning requirements, and prevention of
general availability by users who keep their locks on the lockers
even when they are not storing a bike.
[0004] Standard coin/key locker locking systems have been tried for
bike lockers (by the City of Palo Alto, Calif. for example), but
have proven too vandal and damage-prone, and require lock cylinder
changing when keys are lost.
[0005] High security mechanical key locks have proven successful
for bike lockers, but require a long-term rental commitment by
users and generally do not permit a single locker to be used by
multiple users on an on-demand basis, or for a user to secure a
bike at different locations.
[0006] Double mechanical lock systems (one individual user-supplied
lock and one built-in lock which opens to any issued key) are
successful in allowing multiple users access to all available
lockers, but are successful overall only in situations where
security among key-issued users is relatively high, such as within
a company. These systems are not well suited to truly public
settings, such as transit stations.
[0007] Most public storage lockers, whether on-demand lockers or
long-term lockers, have inadequate security against vandalism,
theft by breaking open the locker door, or jamming of the lock to
an unlocked position. Typically, the latch mechanism, as well as
the lock itself, is mounted on the door, in a manner that is not
totally secure, leaving parts of the mechanism accessible when the
door is open.
[0008] It is desirable for a public locker system to be set up for
on-demand use, to be always locked except when unlocked for access,
which is for only a few seconds, to be easily accessed by a key,
preferably electronically, and to be visually open so as to
preclude privacy, hiding or storage of unauthorized materials, and
discourage unauthorized activities. These are objects of the
invention described below.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] These goals are addressed by the invention described below,
wherein public storage lockers are designed particularly for
storage of bicycles, such as at a public transportation terminal.
In a preferred embodiment the storage lockers are on-demand,
lockable by a user who must unlock the locker using the same
electronic key (or PIN for a keypad, both of which may be referred
to herein as "key device") and who must unlock the locker before
using the key for any other locker. In the preferred embodiment,
the lockers are visually open, with a secure screen or mesh on the
locker door and optionally on walls and top cover. This reveals
that the bike locker is occupied and prevents the use of the locker
for unauthorized, privacy-requiring activities, or storage, or
hiding of a bomb. Preferably the bike enclosure has a floor wheel
guide for conveniently loading and unloading the bike and to
maintain an orderly appearance.
[0010] A special door latch mechanism provides for security by
including a latch bar in a fixed frame, while a latch bar lifter,
operable to permit door opening when the lock is unlocked, is on
the door. The door also has one or more angled, camming latch
hooks, which penetrate the frame through slots to momentarily lift
a spring-loaded or gravity-actuated latch member connected to the
latch bar in a camming action when the door is closed. In another
embodiment the camming latch on the door is permitted spring-loaded
movement, camming over a surface of the latch bar when the door
closes, and lifting clear of the larch hook when the latch bar is
lifted in the unlocked mode. Thus, the door lock is always locked,
in an available locked mode or an unavailable locked mode, except
when unlocked for a only a few seconds before the lock
automatically locks down the latch bar again, so the door is locked
as soon as re-closed. LED indicator lights show whether the locker
unit is in the available locked mode or the unavailable locked
mode.
[0011] Preferably the electronic lock and keys have logic which
prevents use of the key if the user fails to reopen the lock within
a prescribed period of time, and other safeguards against user
abuse.
[0012] In a specific embodiment the electronic keys are of the
iButton type, which are merely touched to a designated spot on the
lock in order to cause retraction of a bolt by a solenoid in the
preferably battery-powered electronic lock, provided access
criteria are met. If battery-powered, the lock enjoys a long
battery life because the only mechanical movement performed in the
lock is to retract a small bolt which normally blocks movement of
the latch bar. The lifting of the latch bar and the opening of the
door are performed manually by the user. The locks can be wired and
powered externally if desired, facilitated by location of the lock
in the frame (which is not possible in a secure and economical
manner with the normal latch bar, lifter and lock in the door).
[0013] The cage is a heavy steel angle frame approximating the
shape of a slice of pie in one preferred embodiment. Diagonal
members on the sides can be added to provide additional strength
and security. The cage can be bolted to the ground, to other cages
side by side and/or to another cage stacked on top. Cages can be
combined to create a partial or full circle, linear or sawtooth
pattern. In a preferred embodiment, the cage also provides a secure
enclosure for the automated elements. In the preferred embodiment,
the cage design can support the installation of the automated
elements in two different positions so that lockers can be stacked
and the lock release mechanism is in reach for both upper and lower
units.
[0014] The door is also constructed from a strong frame designed to
be rigid against in- and out-of-plane bending when pried. It is
attached to the cage with a hinge using a continuous piano hinge in
the preferred embodiment. The door has rounded edges and fits into
the surrounding cage frame, also with rounded edges, as it closes
to prevent prying.
[0015] A secure enclosure is required to house the automated
elements to prevent against tampering. A competing requirement is
the infrequent requirement of accessing the automated elements for
maintenance. These requirements are met by permitting access to the
secure enclosure only when the Locker is open, and by using
standard techniques such as cam locks in the preferred embodiment,
tamper-proof screws, or a small hasp and lock to attach the access
cover of the secure enclosure, accessible only from inside the
locker.
[0016] In the preferred embodiment optimized for bicycle storage, a
wheel guide bisects the bottom of the cage. Like wheel guides used
in bicycle storage racks for retail stores, the open, reentrant
corners are oriented inward to accept the bicycle tire. This
element facilitates loading and unloading a bicycle. It also
creates a rugged surface on the floor that impedes using the cage
as place to rest or sleep.
[0017] A heavy chain with vinyl cover and large ring may be
attached to the frame in the locker for additional security. This
enables the user to secure the bike frame and wheel(s) using the
chain and a user-supplied bike lock fit into a large ring on the
end of the chain.
[0018] The infill creates the walls of the cage and door. Expanded
metal or mesh is attached to the frame, providing structural
support and securing the contents while still allowing visibility
into the cage. Alternatively, strong and secure transparent solid
plastic sheets or virtually any other panel material having the
required transparency can be used. Transparent sheets can be
reinforced with glass fibers. In a preferred embodiment, additional
interior members are added which would require a different tool to
compromise, further impeding removal of contents even if the infill
is compromised.
[0019] A powder-coated, galvanized or similar finish should be
applied to the cage, door and infill for long term wear and
weathering, or the cage can be constructed out of stainless steel.
A weatherproof top can be used when the lockers are installed
outside, without a secondary roof overhead.
[0020] The automated locking system is what allows the user to lock
the door of the cage, and comprises both manually powered elements
and automated elements. The automated elements control the user's
ability to operate a secondary multi-point door latching system
which secures the door to the cage.
[0021] In the preferred embodiment, the hardware that secures the
door to the cage uses, in part, a standard multi-point latching
system often found in wardrobe lockers. The user provides the power
to open and close the latch using a pry- and push-protected handle.
The automated elements control a bolt that enables and disables the
latching system.
[0022] In one embodiment, rechargeable batteries provide power,
supported by an external standard A/C line running a trickle
charger. This allows the lockers to operate in the event of a power
outage, and requires less maintenance than a battery-only system.
An external port for a 9-volt DC power probe is provided that the
lock can be operated by "jumping" power even when the batteries
have expired or the supply system is down.
[0023] A communications port can be installed on the logic board of
the electronic lock, to report activity and current status of all
lockers. Depending on its intended use, the port can be installed
to be accessed from the front of the unit, from the inside of the
unit, from inside the secure steel box, or it can be wired directly
to an external connection, such as a telephone line or a separate
communications hub for a bank of lockers, so information or control
of the lock mechanisms on all lockers can be accessed from a single
location. Preferably the user is prevented by the electronics from
using more than one locker at a time.
[0024] The locker is in a locked available mode or a locked
unavailable mode at all times, except when momentarily unlocked,
and the user has no power to extend the momentarily unlocked mode,
which is only a few seconds. LEDs on the locker may operate to
indicate status to users or potential users or to officials. For
example, different colors can be used for different status
(locked/available, locked/unavailable, expired usage period, out of
order), or flashing or solid for different status. When the
electronic key is touched to the electronic keypad on the lock, a
solenoid or micro-motor retracts the lock bolt, allowing the user
to lift the latch bar and open the door. The user then puts his
bike inside the locker. The LED may flash as long as the lock is
retracted. When the user closes the locker door, this status is
indicated by the LED(s), indicating the locker is secured and in
use. Once in this locked/unavailable mode, the locker can be opened
once by the same user key. Once re-accessed, the lock reverts to
the available mode, so indicated by LED.
[0025] If the locked/unavailable mode lasts for more than a certain
period of time (such as, for example, one week for a bicycle
locker), then the LED may so indicate, and a different electronic
key is required to open the locker, the user's key being no longer
effective, or to reset the lock allowing the user's key to work
again. The different key may be in the hands of the police or a
key-issuing agency, normally municipal or other government agency.
This provides a deterrent to those who would monopolize lockers for
long-term storage, as well as a mechanism for police or other
officials to impound offending bikes, or to ticket offenders.
[0026] As noted above, the electronic lock can include a read/write
memory capable of tracking usage of a locker, including blocking
modes, and to report real time status of a large number of lockers,
through wiring to a central facility or by telephone or other
access.
[0027] A red LED mode (or another special mode) may be included on
the lock, to indicate when the locker is out of order.
[0028] For security the door preferably is spring-loaded so as to
be self-closing even if not deliberately closed by the user.
Closing of the door is effective to cam and reset one or more latch
members associated with the latch bar, securely locking the
door.
[0029] Instead of being constructed in the way known prior art
storage lockers, using sheet metal panels attached together, or
molded materials, another important feature of this invention is
that the infill panels are attached to a metal framework, allowing
for greater flexibility in selecting transparent, translucent,
opaque, metallic or non-metallic materials in any combination for
the sides and top of the locker. The framework system also allows
for flexible arrangement and ganging of the lockers without special
party walls and/or end walls as are required in many bike locker
systems.
[0030] It is thus among the objects of the invention to provide a
conveniently used, highly secure, tamper-resistant and
abuse-resistant on-demand or individually assigned locker, latch
and lock mechanism, particularly adaptable for bicycle storage at a
public transit facility. These and other objects, advantages and
features of the invention will be apparent from the following
description of a preferred embodiment, considered along with the
accompanying drawings.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0031] FIG. 1 is a perspective schematic view showing an embodiment
of a bicycle locker according to the invention.
[0032] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the bicycle locker of FIG.
1.
[0033] FIG. 3 is an elevational section view showing a latch
mechanism of the locker.
[0034] FIG. 3A is a view showing a latch bar of the lock mechanism,
in an elevation at right angles to the view in FIG. 3.
[0035] FIG. 4 is a partial view showing the front of the locker,
showing an electronic lock in the frame, and showing a corner of
the closed door.
[0036] FIG. 5 is an enlarged view showing an upper portion of FIG.
3.
[0037] FIG. 5A is a view similar to FIG. 5 but showing a modified
latch embodiment.
[0038] FIG. 6 is a sectional plan view showing a portion of the
locker assembly.
[0039] FIG. 6A is a view similar to FIG. 6 but showing the
embodiment of FIG. 5A.
[0040] FIG. 6B is another similar section view, taken lower in the
assembly.
[0041] FIG. 6C is an exploded perspective view showing a latch unit
included in the arrangement of FIGS. 5A and 6A.
[0042] FIG. 7 is another sectional plan view showing a portion of
the assembly.
[0043] FIG. 8 is another sectional plan view showing a portion of
the assembly.
[0044] FIG. 9 is another sectional plan view showing a portion of
the assembly.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0045] In the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a bicycle locker 10 according
to a preferred embodiment of the invention. The locker 10 comprises
an enclosure formed by a rigid frame 12 such as of steel or
aluminum and preferably comprising angle members 14, 16, 18, 20, 22
and 24 as shown, with an access opening at the front of the
enclosure. Additional structural members, particularly to rigidify
and reinforce walls and roof of the structure, may be included at
26 (diagonal), 28 and 30. The member 30 preferably is in a V-shape
or channel shape, to receive and guide the tires 32, 34 of a
bicycle 36 schematically indicated as stored within the locker unit
10. The tire guide channel 34 helps guide the rear tire into a
narrow rear portion of the preferably triangular-shaped enclosure,
as well as holding the front wheel 34 in alignment while the
bicycle is loaded.
[0046] The enclosure has a door 40 which is hinged at one side as
shown, and with a handle 42 at an opposite edge of the door, for
lifting when the lock has been successfully accessed. An electronic
lock 44 preferably is positioned on the frame 46 around the door,
the frame being comprised of members 20 and 24.
[0047] In FIG. 1 no infill is shown on the frame, and this infill
may comprise a steel mesh, a strong plastic or fiber-reinforced
mesh, sheets of rigid plastic or other appropriate secure material,
preferably material which permits visibility into the unit. In one
preferred embodiment, the door and at least one of the two sides of
the unit have a transparent or translucent material as infill,
allowing visibility into the unit for purposes of security and
preventing undesired uses of the enclosure. More preferably, both
sides, the door and the top all have this visibility-permitting
material, allowing plenty of light into the unit.
[0048] An interior security chain 48 may be included, to enable a
user of the locker to secure a lock to the bicycle frame for
additional security.
[0049] FIG. 2 shows a preferred embodiment of the locker in a top
plan view. This view shows a secure wire mesh 50 used as the infill
on the frame 12, preferably welded to the frame, but alternatively
connected by secure bolts or other fasteners inaccessible from the
outside of the storage unit 10. In FIG. 2 the bicycle 36 is seen to
be visible from above, as is preferred, and the bicycle is aligned
and neatly arranged within the storage unit, due primarily to the
wheel guide 30 in which the tires reside. As shown, the bicycle's
handlebars 52 may reach nearly to the side walls.
[0050] FIGS. 3, 3A and 4-9 show details of a preferred form of
latch mechanism for the storage unit, an important feature of the
invention, as well as other constructional details. In FIG. 9 one
manner of securing the infill mesh 50 to the frame is shown, with
the hinged-side vertical frame member 20 shown in this particular
view. The mesh (or other infill material) can be secured to the
frame member 20 by a series of machine screws 54 with nuts 56,
connecting to a metal margin piece 57 secured to the edge of the
mesh preferably by welding. The machine screws, which may be
{fraction (3/16)}" diameter stainless flat head countersunk machine
screws, preferably have a secure head which is blank or requires a
special tool to be engaged, or the nut 56 can be fixed to the screw
threads sufficiently that the rotation of the screw head will
simply rotate the nut and bolt together, preventing unauthorized
disassembly. Alternatively, the mesh may be secured by welding or
other secure mechanical means.
[0051] FIG. 9 also shows the door hinge 58, which preferably is a
continuous hinge down the height of the door, heavy enough to be
secure. The hinge 58 is attached as a butt hinge (as by welding or
secure bolts or rivets) to the structural frame member 20 and to an
edge channel 60 of the door, as shown. The door has similar infill
material 50 to the walls and roof in the preferred embodiment.
[0052] FIG. 4 shows a portion of the front of the unit, at the
upper left, revealing that in the preferred embodiment the door
edge 40 fits flushly within the unit's front frame 46, for a clean
appearance and for security against tampering. The lock for the
door is shown generally at 44, and specifically a front plate 44a
is seen in this figure. This may be an electronic lock with a
contact pad 64 for touch-controlled access. Thus, an iButton or
touch memory cell is used to access the lock, by contacting the
iButton against the touch pad 64. In an alternative embodiment, the
lock can have a keypad, such as an alphanumeric keypad, instead of
being activated by touch memory. A mechanical lock could be used if
desired. A multi-color LED 66 is shown for displaying colors as
discussed above for an electronic lock, or this can be an LED with
different flashing modes, indicating modes of operation to the user
and to officials. The electronic lock unit 44 preferably also has
external contacts 68 as discussed above, for "jumping" the lock
with an external battery, such as a 9-volt battery, in the event
power is out. This does not access the lock, but merely provides
power so that the lock can be accessed with the appropriate
iButton, or keypad entry.
[0053] The locker door handle is shown at 42, including a
stationary portion 72 and, in the preferred embodiment, an upwardly
slidable upper portion 74, which is slidable within the
sleeve-shaped fixed portion 72. The sleeve configuration protects
the movable handle from being pried or forced.
[0054] The door handle 42 is also seen in FIG. 3 and FIG. 5, and
these should be viewed together in understanding the mechanism.
FIG. 3 shows in elevational profile the door 40 as surrounded by
the frame 46. The door includes, fixed to the door, at least one
latch hook 76, and preferably three such latch hooks, as shown.
These latch hooks, as better seen in FIG. 5, include a sloped back,
forward end or ramp 78, adjacent to which is a notch 80 at the back
edge of the sloped end, for receipt of a latch 82 which is inside
the door frame. The latch 82 is connected to, or at least engaged
by, a vertically-slidable latch bar or latch attachment 84 which
extends at least most of the height of the door as shown. The latch
bar 84 can extend to the bottom of the door frame as shown, and at
its upper end it is normally blocked from upward movement by a
retractable bolt 86 of the lock 42. When the bolt extends out, it
blocks the lifting of the latch bar, by abutting directly against
the upper end 88 of the latch bar or by entry of the bolt 86 into a
notch or hole in the latch bar.
[0055] Since it is desirable that the accessing of the lock only
retracts the lock bolt 86 to the release mode momentarily, e.g. for
a few seconds, it is preferable that the closure of the door be
effective to latch the door in locked position automatically,
without any further manual input and without requiring lifting of
the latch bar, which is by this time locked to the down position
shown. Therefore, the latch 82, which is cammed upwardly by the
latch hook surface 78 as the door closes and then falls back into
the latch hook notch 80 under the influence of a latch spring 90
(or by gravity, with a heavier latch member 82), is permitted
movement independent of the latch bar 84. The latch member 82 is
shown as an oval or racetrack-shaped chain link in the drawings,
but it can take other appropriate configurations such as a
horizontal bar contained within a slot in the latch bar and urged
downwardly either by the tension spring 90 or by gravity. The latch
member 82 is restricted as to downward movement by engagement with
the latch bar, which lifts the latch member upwardly (to the extent
of escaping the locking notch 80) as the latch bar is lifted. This
restriction can be by any appropriate seat on the latch bar for
engaging the latch member, or any appropriate projection of the
latch bar which engages the latch member in one direction,
preventing down movement of the latch member relative to the latch
bar. FIG. 6 shows the latch member 82 as contained within a fold or
pocket of the latch bar 84, which preferably is S-shaped in cross
section as shown. The latch member 82 is nested within the latch
bar and can be supported against downward movement in the latch bar
by an appropriate form of ledge or projection below the latch
member. FIG. 6 also shows the latch hook 76 fixed (as by welding)
to the door edge 40a through the frame member or jamb 20, into the
interior of the frame and through the latch bar 84, intercepting
and engaging with the latch member 82. FIG. 6 also shows in dashed
lines a vertically oriented latch bar restraint 92 that retains the
vertically slidable latch bar within a pocket 94 of the frame.
[0056] The door handle 42 operates in a manner which provides for
maximum security. Instead of being located on or inside the door,
as is typical, the vertically slidable latch bar 84 is secured
within the door jamb or frame member 20 as explained above. The
handle 42 needs to be capable of engaging and lifting this latch
bar, but only for initially releasing the latch hooks 76 from the
latch members 82. Once the door is free of the latch, the latch bar
can be returned to its normal, down position. For this purpose, the
movable part 74 of the handle 42 is fixed to a latch bar lifter or
latch bar shifter 96 which extends into the frame and into holes 98
in the latch bar itself, as seen particularly in FIGS. 5 and 8. The
frame member 20 has a vertically elongated slot 100 through which
the latch bar lifter 96 passes, allowing it free up-and-down
movement relative to the frame.
[0057] Thus, when the lock 44 is successfully accessed, causing the
lock bolt 86 to retract to the release mode, at that instant the
user is permitted to pull upwardly on the upper, release portion 74
of the handle and thus to lift the latch bar shifter 96. This lifts
the latch bar, which in turn lifts the latch member 82 as explained
above. Thus, with the handle portion 74 held upwardly for a second
or even a fraction of a second, the user pulls the door open,
clearing the latch hook 76 from the latch 82. As this is
accomplished, the latch bar lifter 96 pulls away from the latch bar
84 allowing the latch bar to drop back to its down position. All
this takes places within a few seconds, or even less than a second,
and the lock bolt 86 extends back outwardly to its locked position,
preferably by spring force or timed delay (as with a double-acting
solenoid). Thus, the actual retraction of the lock bolt can be for
only about one second, or it can be two to four seconds to assure
that the user has plenty of time to open the door. Once the latch
bar is lifted, even if the lock bolt tries to re-extend (by spring
force) it will merely be delayed until the latch bar drops.
[0058] After the door is opened, the latch mechanism is essentially
locked. The latch bar shifter is preferably short enough that the
latch bar drops back to normal position even before the door edge
is fully clear of the frame, preventing insertion of a tool to hold
the bar in the up position.
[0059] Closing of the door will effect the upward camming of the
latch member by the latch hook ramp 78 to relatch the door in the
closed, locked position.
[0060] FIGS. 5A, 6A, 6B and 6C show a modified embodiment of the
invention wherein the automatic latching of the door upon closure
is accommodated by movement in the latch hook (connected to the
door) rather than movement of the latch member (contained within
the frame). Here, the latch bar 84a has a slotted opening 110 (and
the frame has an adjacent opening) through which extends a housing
112 for the latch hook 76a, which in this case comprises a
vertically reciprocable plunger. The plunger and housing assembly
are shown in FIG. 6C, indicating that the housing is a folded
component, preferably of metal, within which the plunger 76a is
slidable, biased upwardly by a compression spring 114. A jamb clip
116 fits within the housing 112 and retains the plunger in the
housing, within the limits of its range of motion. This plunger and
housing assembly is a locker part sold by Worley, such as available
at ROBERTBROOKE.COM, part number 530100.
[0061] The housing as mounted to the door 40 is shown in FIG. 6A. A
mounting flange 112a is secured to a bracket 118 at the inside of
the door, and the folded-over portion 112b extends into the frame,
as shown. FIG. 6A shows the sloped-back upper end 76b of the latch
hook or plunger 76a. The latch bar is indicated at 84a, in this
case preferably a rectangular latch bar having an interior within
which the plunger 76a and folded-over portion 112b of the plunger
housing can fit.
[0062] FIG. 5A shows that the door is latched by positioning of the
plunger or latch hook 76a at its extended position behind a wall
84b of the latch bar. As the door is closed, the sloped-back
forward and upper surface 76b of the plunger engages the bottom
edge of the wall or plate 84b of the latch bar, camming the plunger
downwardly into the housing, against the force of the compression
spring 114. Once the door is sufficiently closed that the plunger
clears the latch bar wall 84b, the plunger springs upwardly to its
normal and extended position, latching the door closed. When access
is granted via the lock, with retraction of the lock bolt 86,
however, the latch bar is permitted upward movement by the user's
pulling upwardly on the handle 74. The latch bar opening 110 has
sufficient space below the plunger housing 112 to allow the latch
bar to be lifted such that the plate or wall 84b is clear of the
extended plunger 76a, i.e. the opening 110 has been shifted to
clear the plunger for opening of the door.
[0063] FIGS. 5A and 6B also show a rod 120 which is included in a
preferred embodiment, fixed to the frame and supporting the latch
bar for vertical sliding movement. FIG. 5A shows a groove 122,
formed in parallel at both sides of the latch bar, which travels
over the rod 120. The groove is shown with a J-shaped lower end 124
for initial assembly into the frame.
[0064] FIG. 7 is a top plan sectional view at the lock 44. This
view shows some aspects of security of the system, in which access
to the lock 44 is not permitted the user even from the inside of
the enclosure, when the door is open. The lock, if electronic, may
be in two components: the front plate 44a seen in FIG. 4, and the
lock mechanism 44b with retractable bolt 86 as seen in FIG. 7. A
security plate 102 is connected into the frame member 20 and
preferably locked in place, as by keyed cam locks at appropriate
locations on the inside of the frame. This security plate may
extend the full height of the frame member 20 if desired, or it can
be in separate sections. In any event, as seen in FIG. 3, this
plate also protects the frame 46 from being accessed at the
locations of the latch members 82, which may be at three different
locations in the frame as shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 3 indicates two
different locks 104 provided to secure the security plate 102 in
place. Alternatively, secure fasteners requiring a special tool
could be used.
[0065] FIG. 7 also indicates an electrical cable 106 extending from
the rear lock component 44b. This connects to the front lock plate
44a, not seen in FIG. 7. An additional cable (not shown) can extend
from the lock for providing audit and current status information
for all units, since the electronic lock preferably has
microcontroller and memory, recording access events. Power wires
may also be desired. The invention makes this wiring possible in a
secure way, since the electronic lock is located in the fixed frame
rather than in the door, where a cable would have to pass from the
frame to the door, most likely exposing the cable to tampering or
vandalism.
[0066] The invention allows opening of the door with one hand after
the lock is released. Although the accessing handle could be on the
frame instead of the door, this would require two hands to open the
door.
[0067] The invention is described with a vertically slidabie latch
bar that falls by gravity to its normal, locking position, but the
normal position could alternatively be an upper position, biased by
a spring. The latch hooks, latch members, latch bar shifter, lock,
etc. would still function similarly except in requiring a down
motion to shift the latch bar permitting the door to open.
[0068] Although the invention is described above in its preferred
embodiment with a vertically slidable latch bar, parallel to a
vertical-axis hinge arrangement for the door, the important
principles of the invention also apply to other arrangements. For
example, the hinge could be on a horizontal axis for some
applications such as where space or convenience require this, and
the latch bar could be a horizontally slidable latch, thus being
parallel to the hinge axis, biased to a normal, locked position by
a spring and movable against the spring when the lock is in release
mode; references herein and in the claims to lifting, up, down,
above, below, etc. are not to be taken as limiting in this regard
but only as indicating relative positions and movements. Still
further, instead of an elongated latch bar this element could
simply comprise a movable latch element, which could be shorter and
still slidable, or which could be a rotatable latch element. In any
event, the latch element is contained securely within the door
frame and preferably it is not movable to its release position
except when the lock is in release mode and the door is closed,
putting in operative position a latch element mover or shifter
which could be a rotational component extending into the frame from
the door, rather than a slidable latch element shifter as disclosed
above, co-acting with a slidable latch element. With the lock,
movable latch element and latch member or members contained within
the frame and inaccessible to vandals or to the user even when the
door is open, the latch mechanism of the invention in any of the
above forms provides distinct advantages and heightened security in
a mechanism which is still relatively simple in construction.
[0069] An alternative embodiment of the invention still includes
the two locked modes--available locked and unavailable locked--but
eliminates the latch mechanism. In such form the lockers have
electronic locks that are always in locked mode when the doors are
closed. This can be with electrically retractable spring latches or
electrically movable bolts that sense door closure and extend upon
closure. Multiple bolt or latch points can be included. Generally,
in a battery-powered system for large lockers such as bicycle
lockers, the mechanical latch (controlled by electronic lock) is
preferred, so that the user moves relatively heavy latch components
and only a lightweight bolt is moved electrically.
[0070] The above described preferred embodiments are intended to
illustrate the principles of the invention, but not to limit its
scope. Other embodiments and variations to this preferred
embodiment will be apparent to those skilled in the art and may be
made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention
as defined in the following claims.
* * * * *